Pulse surge home to down the Tactix
At a glance
The Central Pulse aren’t the unstoppable juggernaut we all thought.
They snuck past the Mainland Tactix 47-36 at Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena last night, but for the most part it was an inconsistent showing that lacked polish from the table-topping Pulse.
Give the Tactix some credit. The much-improved side could have easily folded down 25-18 at halftime, but hit back in the third quarter, restricting the Pulse to just six goals.
It was only a dominant final quarter from the Pulse that allowed them to push clear of the plucky home side and make it nine wins from 11 in the national netball premiership.
The Pulse looked short-priced championship favourites for much of the first part of the season, but a 51-47 loss to the second-placed Steel last Monday and this showing will encourage their rivals.
They will be aware the side in the canary gold dresses can be beaten in a crunch elimination finals match.
There was a lot to like about the class of the Pulse in the final term, never flinching and winning the quarter 16-8 to blow out the final margin.
While they struggled on attack, the Pulse’s quality in the defensive end ultimately got them home, restricting the Tactix to just 36 goals. The Tactix were never able to score more than 10 goals in a quarter. They also forced the Christchurch-based side into 33 turnovers.
The loss doesn’t kill the thirdplaced Tactix hopes of qualifying for the elimination final, but they have a tough road home. They play the Pulse again and are away to the Steel and Magic. The chasing pack is biting too with the Magic, Mystics and Stars within reach.
Down 25-18 at halftime, the Tactix were a different side to start the second half.
They began with a 9-2 burst to level the score at 27-27 within the opening nine minutes of the third term.
With shooter Brooke Leaver moving into wing attack and experienced former Australian international Kate Beveridge slotting into goal attack, the Tactix were far more composed sending the ball down court.
It was a rattled opening from the Pulse and forced coach Yvette McCausland-Durie to make changes with Ameliaranne Ekenasio injected into goal attack and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan replacing Whitney Souness at wing attack.
The Pulse were limited to a meagre six goals in the third quarter, but ended the term positively to take a slim 31-28 lead into the final 15 minutes.
Little separated the sides in the early minutes of the last quarter, but a couple of costly mistakes and missed goals from the Tactix allowed the Pulse to open up a 38-31 buffer with seven to play and they went on to win 47-36.